King Me!: Castle Rock- The Season 1 Finale

After 9 Episodes and a good year, I'm finally done with the Show as of today.  Will the ending make it all worth while?  Let's see...

After all of the backstory in the latest Episode, we return to the present and bad driving.

There is actually a guy who tells our Hero that the birds freaking out was caused by 'Global Warming.'  Thanks for the Guest Writing, James Nguyen!

The Prisoner ends up back in custody after seeing what is sort of his own grave and goes all Emo Dante on our Hero.

They both end up in custody together- since you can't just drive away from your 2nd Murder Scene of the day without looking suspicious- and things happen again!

It's still not clear to me why bad things happen with him around.

As thing just escalate and the Town gets full of chaos.  Who will live?  Who will die?

Will this Ending be a cop-out?  To find out, watch the Show...

More of the same, in spite of flashes of improvement.  Everything wrong with the Show is still here.  Everything right with the Show is still here.  I've covered all of this, so I don't want to repeat myself too much.  The Acting is good.  The Production Values are nice.  They keep trying to throw in random deaths to spice things up.  Even that doesn't really work, since it's not quite pulled off right.  A woman is hit by a truck walking parallel to it, but we see the stopped truck with her under it face-up.  Given that you used a Special Effect for the collision, why not fix it there?  The big problem is that they don't really close up things really well.  I won't SPOIL all of it, but you can read about it if you really want to know.  If you are looking for closure, you get little.  If you're looking for good explanations, you won't get it.  It's just dour and nothing.  On the plus side, they set up a neat idea for Season 2 in the Mid-Credits Stinger.  I'd watch...psst...what's that?  Oh, they're not doing this Story for Season 2?  Motherf….!

A good idea for a Show, that just gets drawn out endlessly.  It barely worked for American Gods and it does NOT work for you.

King Me!: Castle Rock- 'Henry Deaver'

As the finale approaches, can they turn this Show around?  How about another option- turning the Show on its head...

We open with narration from the long-dead Mr. Deaver and a flashback to how his Mom tried to kill him as a baby.  Fun stuff!

He survives and, I guess, that's enough to stop her from ever trying again.  What a weird opening.

We then meet the title Character.  Are you confused by why it is clearly Pennywise...I mean...The Prisoner.

Weirdly, the Episode instead focuses on making his name being spoken as a big moment- complete with score rising-, which is silly when this is called 'Henry Deaver.'

He goes home after his Dad killed himself and finds a young, black boy locked up in the basement.

The kid is confused and calls himself 'Henry Deaver.'  What in the what now?!?

When Molly gets involved, things become both more and less clear.  I really can't explain much without confusing SPOILERS.

If you want to know, read the Wiki.  Oh and watch the Show or whatever.

At least this complete aside has a point!  Let's be clear- the last Episode ended with the Prisoner and Molly together.  This Episode is all him showing stuff to her by way of her empathic/psychic abilities.  In other words, nothing actually happens in the present narrative of this Show.  Granted- alot of stuff we didn't know about happens, but the point remains the same.  The big problem with this Episode for me is the placement.  It's thrown in right before the finale with the idea of explaining away the mystery running through the Show.  To that end, it feels like a very late case of telling us what we needed to know earlier.  Quick pitch- open the Series with a version of this Episode.  Next Episode, use the Pilot you actually did.  Now we've met two different Leads and know that something is up.  If you can work around explaining what their connection is properly, you could have something good.  To be fair, that would be another one of the cases of 'Make the first 2 Episodes be the same events from 2 different Characters' perspectives' Trope, but I'd take it in this case.  It makes sense.  To me, this feels more like the end of a bad Mystery Film where they just straight up explain the Plot to you than a neat 'gotcha' turn.  I also don't really care for what the explanation is.  It's too silly to be serious and doesn't feel right with this Show's Tone and Style.  On the plus side, they snuck in a more subtle King reference this time...

Next time, we finally reach the end of the Story.  Will it go out big or, yeah, let's not pretend that it's going to happen at this point, right?  See you then...

King Me: Castle Rock- 'Past Perfect'

Has the Show stopped Trolling me?  I'm hoping for something strong as they enter the home stretch.  Let's see...

We follow...this new Couple who move to Castle Rock to open a Murder-Themed B&B.  That's nice, but who are you and why is this opening the THIRD TO LAST Episode?

In the wake of what happened (not in flashbacks), the Prisoner meets up with our Hero and keeps acting creepy.  He makes a strange claim- he's been waiting 27 years for him.

Isn't 27 years the gap between Pennywise appearances too?  Is he also Pennywise here?!?  Am I trying to find anyway to make it seems like this Show has a point?

The B&B Sub-Plot connects to a few things- such as the random return of Jackie Torrance after, what, 6 Episodes and The Prisoner via some weird paintings- and ties back to the beginning with all of this taking place in the Warden's House.

I like how they re-use the Audio of said Warden to really pad out how much they got 'Locke' to be in this Show.

It all comes to a head as our Hero meets the B&B Owners.  This can't end well, can it?

To find out, watch the Episode before the Series returns next Month.

Hallelujah!  Something actually happened here- alot of things, in fact.  Granted- many of them involve Characters we just met in THIS EPISODE, but I'll count it.  A couple deaths and attempted murder is enough to liven things up.  We also get off-screen, after-the-fact deaths or two- yea.  We eventually get a follow-up with our Hero and his time in the Silent Room.  Granted- it comes after 10 minutes of the B&B Set-up and a 'Previously on' part.  After last week's distraction, people probably did need this more than ever.  On the positive side, they have more creepy Prisoner moments, more Plot progression (for what there is), more explanation of how the Prisoner works and some good scares.  It's almost like they could have done this more often and I wouldn't have just stopped watching halfway through.  It's still alot of 'people staring at things while eerie music plays.'  It's still alot of stalling.  We just actually get enough good moments and some Plot in between.  Plus we get this not-so-subtle reference to a much better King Film involving Jackie Torrance...

Next time, stuff actually happened once, so can it happen again?  I don't have my hopes up.  See you then...

King Me: Castle Rock- 'The Queen'

After complaining many times about how slow the Show is, they answered my prayers.  Just kidding, it's a mostly-flashback Episode!

After a big cliffhanger last time, we get...a Flashback Episode about the Mom (Sissy Spacek).

This does fill in some holes in the Story, but...who demanded this?

There are some neat visuals (in theory) as she observes her memories from the outside...but then there's *also* the fact that they only use current Spacek for ALL of these, so it just feels weird.

They don't use current versions of the others- just her.  It's more distracting than it is clever.

Some actual Plot happens- which is still in the past, mind you- as the Prisoner (I won't call him The Kid, Internet!) shows up after burning his last place down.

Actual tension- where have you been?!?

We don't get enough of those Flashbacks, even as the tension escalates though.

This is all just to show how she resisted 'Not Sam Elliot' back in the day before, well, no SPOILERS.

To find out how it all ends, watch the Show.  Gotta prep for Season 2, right?  Right?!?

A classy disappointment.  As a side Episode, this is...alright.  The parts we get as Flashbacks are well-shot and well-acted.  There's nothing wrong with them per se.  The problem is the placement.  We get it so late in the Series that it feels more like back-filling than important plot exposition.  It comes off as 'oh crap- we didn't explain this yet' when it shouldn't.  It's not as bad as Black Cobra's classic 'Let me tell you his entire Backstory at the halfway point of the Film' moment, but it's not great.  It goes to a trend that I bitched about in the past when it was done by The Handmaid's Tale, American Gods and others.  It's just a thing people do and I don't like it.  If you can get past the arty flashbacks, the actual bits of story we get are good.  Skarsgard is a nice, subtle menace.  He doesn't do a whole lot, but his presence is nice.  The final moments are interesting, but I don't love it as much as I'm supposed to.  It is a bit overproduced for a moment that is supposed to feel real and authentic.  I really don't like this Episode as much as many people online seem to and that is, sadly, in spite of how good The Prisoner is...

Next time, we return to the Present and maybe get close to wrapping this up.  A man can dream, right?  See you then...

King Me: Castle Rock- 'Filter'

After a long, long break, I came back to talk about this Show.

Yes, the fact that a new King Film is coming out helped.
Yes, the fact that this Show comes back next Month also helped.

Regardless, I'm back...

Here's a recap for those only reading this and not watching the Show...
- A mysterious man appears in a Prison Cell at Shawshank in a closed-off Wing.
- A Lawyer with a dark past in this Town is called back to help him.
- Weird things surround him, like a Psychic Friend, his diminished Mother and his Step-Dad.
- Is there a dark power behind the Prisoner?
- Did he kill his Stepdad all of those years ago?

That took nearly FOUR HOURS to tell.  Let's see if I was right to return...

As his time reconnecting with home continues, our Hero has his teenage son visit.  That's...smart?

He finds a place for The Prisoner to stay, but there are bad signs on pretty much the moment of his arrival.

He meets with his friend, who drops a bombshell about the night of his Stepfather's death.  Does he believe her?  Can he believe her?

His journey of discovery takes him to the Woods and some strange people.  Should he listen to them or will this bite him in the ass?

To find out the answers to this and other questions, watch the Show's second half.

A slight improvement here and there.  The obvious problem is still here- the Show is too long.  They don't really have enough content that is interesting to fill out this many Episodes.  As such, we get slow moments, drawn out moments and moments that aren't as interesting as the Music Score insists that they are.  It's obviously *not* just this Show with this problem.  On the plus side, they made some slight improvements in this Episode.  Some stuff is definitely too drawn out.  That said, the creepy stuff is pretty effective.  They got away from Shawshank- for now- so the locations feel more fresh.  We get some new Characters, so that helps too.  They are clearly building to something that may actually have noticeable pay-off- what a concept!  The Plot is still super-dense.  The Pacing is still a bit off.  On the upside, we're into more of the 'create interesting moments' part of the Show and past most of the 'here's everything you need to know' part.  I'm not going to say that the Show is great now, but it has some real moments.  Here's hoping I wasn't wrong to give this one a second chance.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to see a lady about a thing...

Next time, will we get some answers?  Will I stop complaining about how slow this is?  See you then...

King Me: Castle Rock- 'Harvest'

After a quick break, I'm back to break down the halfway point of the Series (so far).  What happens?

The Kid/Prisoner is free (for the time being) and our Hero is trying to get him tested.

While he takes care of stuff in town, he tells the nearly-mute man to stay put.  Naturally, he doesn't.

He has some personal issues of his own to deal with while that is happening, from dealing with his Mother's loss of sanity to the fact that his foster Dad's body is apparently melting!

Rough day, no?

As weird stuff happens in the Area (including a Wildfire), the Prisoner continues to draw the attention of some people.

Will a night-time confrontation lead to some truths or just more teasing of a Plot?

To find out, watch the Episode.

It all sounds good on paper.  I know that you don't hear paper, but just accept the expression.   Something big happened last Episode (no SPOILERS) and now the Series is coasting again.  So close!  They keep acting like something is about to happen- look at all of the tension!- and then...nothing.  What you get to see is nice and well-made.  Given that, it's an extra shame that the payoff keeps being delayed and delayed!  It's all for naught if I can't enjoy any big moments without reservation, no?  Everyone does their best with the material.  I don't fault the Actors.  Everyone here is good, ranging from big performances to far more subtle ones.  I just want more when the people are so good and the source material is so rife for good storytelling.  As if my complaining isn't enough proof, here's the Director doing a downward Crane Shot for no reason (other than boredom- presumably)...

Next time, I'm taking a sabbatical from this Show (for many reasons).  When and if I return, we'll see what happens in this Town.  See you then?

King Me: Castle Rock- 'The Box'

Another week and another slow walk down the Green Mile.  Will my patience be rewarded this week?  Let's see...

In Shawshank, the Prisoner/Kid continues to act strange.

If you were looking for more interactions between him and Deaver, skip this one.

Speaking of Deaver, Henry is looking into his own past and discovers some stuff he didn't want to know...

Lest you think I am just being mean to this Show, I will credit Scott Glen for being so damn good.

I will also point out this somewhat-subtle bit as a Scene plays on TV that relates to the Story.

It might feel forced, but they don't linger on it much.

As more secrets come out, Henry makes a big decision that will affect his future.

At Shawshank, we actually have something happen besides people talking about stuff.  No SPOILERS as to what though.

To find out, watch the Episode.

A bit of nothing Episode- again.  This time, it is all about atmosphere and revealing slightly-more about stuff we already kind of knew.  We knew that people think that Henry killed his 'Father.'  Now we know more people that think that and how it informed their actions.  We knew that the Prisoner has some sort of odd effect on people around him.  Now we see it more.  We knew that the Guard has issues with Shawshank.  We see that he STILL has problems with it, but that, at least, comes to a head.  So much of this Episode continues to be slow walking, slow looking and pensive looking around while thinking.  I guess we're not past that.  There's still nothing *bad* about the actual Show.  I like the ideas here and want to see them go somewhere.  If I hated the Show, I would just stop watching and not give a crap.  I don't...and I do.  You know what I mean, right?  As a fun little aside, I watched Creepshow and saw this little Easter Egg at the end of one of the Segments.  Yes, I know this is all based on Stories that existed that long, but it is still nice to see something like this all the way back in 1982...

Next time, we reach the halfway point of the Series (so far).  Will I ever get what I'm asking for?  See you then...

King Me: Castle Rock- 'Local Color'

At this point, I think that you're just messing with me.  Will we get more answers or will we just keep up with the padding?  Let's see...

We get some flashbacks to the neighbor girl, who appears to have some sort of Shining powers.

We also have a relative of someone from that Story, but this isn't her.  Do I have to read Rose Red to understand the Show?

In the present, the woman- Molly- meets briefly with our Hero, but acts like she doesn't remember him.  His presence seems to affect her.

Remember when the Prisoner and our Hero met.  Well...keep waiting for the resolution of that as we have more 'Can the Guard do the right thing?' Scenes to get through first.

After someone spills the beans on the Prisoner- referred to as 'The Kid' by most-, the Warden offers a settlement.  Will he accept for his client?

Or will they fight this?  More importantly, will Not-Pennywise stop being so creepy?

Probably a 'no' on the second one, but watch all the same.

Will they ever pick up the pace?  Watching this Show is like being stuck behind the one old lady on the Freeway going 45 mph.  You'll get where you're going eventually- but the wait is going to stress you out.  I'm having some flashbacks to trying to recap American Gods and act like a lot happened in each Episode.  The pacing continues to be a problem here is that this Season already feels like it is being stretched out.  This is only the 3rd Episode!  Focusing so much on Molly is not necessarily-bad.  I'm guessing that she'll be more important as this goes on.  My issue is just the timing and placement of this focus.  Why not have it in Episode 2, since we don't get the meeting until the end anyways?  Why not have it in Episode 4 or later, at which point they are just planning their defense?  It's like that weird trend last Year when both American Gods, Twin Peaks and The Handmaid's Tale stopped their Stories cold to do an all flashback Episode.  They were all good Episodes, but felt weird where they were placed.  I want this Show to be good and consistent.  It's interesting moments work for me- I just don't like this pace.  Don't make me sic the Invisible Man on you!

Next time, some clear answers...right?  I'm beginning to sense a pattern here though.  See you then...